FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUST ENCAPSULATOR
Is Rust Encapsulator paintable? – Yes, you can prime and paint over top of this product with nearly any top coat or primer
Should I use the Rust Encapsulator as a sealer after treating rusted areas with Rust Dissolver? Can I, or should I just use a primer? – If you fully remove the rust down to clean bare metal with the Rust Dissolver, applying epoxy primer to the areas would be a good way to seal the metal. Rust Encapsulator can also be used in this case, but it should be used in any situation where all rust was not fully removed.
Is Rust Encapsulator the right product to prevent rust inside frame rails? – Our Internal Frame Coating with application hose would be a better choice for blind applications. Although Rust Encapsulator doesn’t require a lot of prep, it is recommended to wire brush the surface rust before applying.
Can I spray Epoxy Primer over Rust Encapsulator applied to bare metal without any adhesion problems? – Epoxy primer can be applied over thoroughly cured Rust Encapsulator. It is a good idea to lightly scuff sand the Rust Encapsulator with at least a red Scotch-Brite pad before applying.
Can I apply rust encapsulator over fully dried, recently applied seam sealer? – Yes, if the seam sealer is paintable, Rust Encapsulator could be applied over it.
Can Rust Encapsulator be used under a seam sealer? – Yes, Rust Encapsulator can be used under seam sealer too. Eastwood even offers a Rust Encapsulator/Seam Sealer kit.
Is there a minimum ambient temperature to apply Rust Encapsulator? – 60 Degrees would be the minimum application temperature. Lower temperature will cause flash times to be extended.
What reducer do I use and how much to spray through a paint gun? – Rust Encapsulator can be thinned up to 20% with lacquer thinner for spraying.
How does rust encapsulator work on bare metal? Does it stick well, dry and cure fully in the same time as when applied over rust? – Rust encapsulator can be applied to bare metal, painted surfaces, and rusted metal. The drying time will be the same
Can you fiberglass over rust encapsulator? – Yes, body fillers and fiberglass can be applied over Rust Encapsulator.
Should you apply body filler before or after applying rust encapsulator? – Body filler can be applied over or under Rust Encapsulator. If there is still rust, I would apply the Rust Encapsulator first.
Can I use the rust encapsulator on the inside of rusty galvanized rain gutters? Will it need a top? -Yes, you can use Rust Encapsulator on any metal surface with light rust on it. It does not require a top coat, but if you want to it will accept nearly any material with no issues.
Is the colored Rust Encapsulator available in quarts? – At this time, only black Rust Encapsulator, and black Rubberized Encapsulator are available in quart sizes.
What kind of finish does it leave? Is it matte or gloss? – Rust Encapsulator will provide a matte finish. Rust Encapsulator is compatible with almost all top coats, so you can apply a gloss finish over it, if you’d like.
Can I use Rust Encapsulator to seal a new mild steel exhaust system to prevent it from rusting? – This product is only good to 400F which may not be enough. Our Exhaust Paint is good to 600F and is what we recommend for headers and exhaust manifolds.
Does this product have to be top coated? – All Rust Encapsulator products are UV resistant and do not need to be top coated.
If using spray cans under the car, will they spray if can is flat or even a little upside? – I’ve never had an issue with spraying flat but it will not work upside down.
Can Rubberized Rust Encapsulator be applied over a metal already treated with Rust Converter? – Yes. Just be sure it is applied heavily enough. It produces a textured finish and you want to make sure the low spots in the texture aren’t too thin.
Should I use the regular Rust Encapsulator or the Rubberized one on the underside of a rusty truck? Do both items have the same prep requirements? – Both do have the same prep, meaning knock any scaly/loose rust off with a wire brush, clean with PRE painting prep, and then apply. As far as which one, it is a personal preference; If it’s a work type truck, or sees weather more frequently (snow, ice, salt brine) then go with the rubberized for better protection.
Once dry can Rubberized Rust Encapsulator be painted and with what? – This product remains flexible, therefore it is not recommended to paint over it. If you do decide to try, let it fully dry and test in an inconspicuous area. If you need the rust encapsulating properties, I would recommend using standard Rust Encapsulator and then top coating that. It will take most top coats. Eastwood standard Rubberized Undercoating is also a product that can be painted with most topcoats.
Can the quart can of Rubberized Encapsulator be applied with a spray gun? – If spray applying, an undercoating gun is recommended. Encapsulator can be thinned with lacquer reducer.
Are the colored encapsulator aerosols all as strong as the black ones? What about the rubberized version? – The black Rust Encapsulator is as strong as the white, clear, yellow and other color products. The 2x as strong, refers to the old formula Rust Encapsulator. The rubberized is even stronger. The black has been tested to 500 hours of salt spray testing and the Rubberized Rust Encapsulator to 1000 hours.